TCM for Eczema: Can TCM Really Help With Eczema?
Are you tired of your eczema condition that never seems to go away? Perhaps you have heard that Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) can help treat eczema. As such, you might have tried googling: anyone tried Chinese medicine for eczema, and the result has brought you here. The good news is that TCM, with its holistic approach, offers promising avenues for alleviating eczema symptoms.
Causes Of Eczema: According To TCM
TCM practitioners believe that eczema is primarily caused by a malfunctioning spleen and stomach, resulting in wind-dampness-heat. When the spleen and stomach are not functioning correctly, failing to convert food into essence, dampness-heat will arise. The combination of dampness-heat accumulating beneath the skin and wind infiltrating the body from outside results in an itchy rash.
Those with irritable body constitution and poor eating habits, especially those with a tendency to over-consume spicy and oily food, are more likely to weaken their spleen and stomach. As a result, they are more susceptible to developing eczema symptoms.
Effective TCM Treatment for Eczema: How Chinese Medicine Provides Relief
As eczema is believed to be caused by wind-dampness-heat, the main principle behind TCM treatments for eczema is to clear heat and eliminate dampness, thus relieving the itch. There are various TCM remedies available to treat eczema. Let us examine these different approaches.
Treatment #1: Herbal Prescriptions
Depending on the syndrome the skin lesions belong to, different herbal treatments may be prescribed. For instance, acute-stage eczema is equivalent to the dampness-heat ailment in TCM. Hence, TCM formulas, like Xiao Feng San, may be used to treat these conditions caused by wind, dampness, and heat.
Meanwhile, practitioners may also recommend other Chinese medicine for eczema, like Ku Shen (sophora root), Jing Jie (schizonepeta bud or stem), and Fang Feng (ledebouriella root) to help stem the itch from the eczema and dispel wind. Patients can expect these TCM treatments for eczema to provide relief from persistent itching, reduce redness, and promote healthier skin over time by addressing the root causes of the condition. This holistic approach, widely regarded as a good TCM for eczema, focuses on balancing the body and improving overall well-being for long-term results.
Treatment #2: Acupuncture
Physicians may also recommend acupuncture for eczema relief as part of their TCM treatment for eczema. The insertion of hair-thin needles at specific acupoints and around the skin lesions is believed to help improve Qi and blood circulation while removing heat, eliminating dampness, and relieving itching. Patients undergoing this good TCM for eczema approach can expect reduced inflammation, less frequent flare-ups, and improved overall skin health as the body’s balance is restored. When combined with Chinese medicine for eczema, these treatments aim to provide holistic and effective relief for managing eczema symptoms.
Treatment #3: Topical Medication
Like dermatologists, TCM practitioners can prescribe topical creams and ointments, such as 黄连膏 (Huang Lian Cream) and 紫云膏 (Zi Yun Cream), to soothe the affected skin areas. These formulas often integrate traditional remedies like Bai Ji (bletilla striata) and Huang Qin (scutellaria baicalensis) to nourish the skin, reduce itching, and promote healing. Patients opting for these Chinese medicine for eczema solutions can expect relief from symptoms, reduced inflammation, and faster skin recovery. As part of a TCM treatment for eczema, these remedies aim to provide a holistic and natural approach to managing eczema, offering a good TCM for eczema option for those seeking long-term improvement.
Treatment #4: Lifestyle and Dietary Changes
TCM emphasises the interconnectedness of the body, mind, and environment, offering a holistic approach to treating eczema. As part of a TCM treatment for eczema, practitioners will first assess the patient thoroughly, including their lifestyle and dietary habits, to identify underlying imbalances contributing to their condition. This personalised evaluation helps create a tailored plan, integrating Chinese medicine for eczema and other therapies that aim to restore harmony within the body. For individuals seeking a natural and sustainable TCM solution that cures eczema, this approach not only addresses symptoms but also promotes overall well-being. With good TCM for eczema treatments, patients can look forward to improved skin health and a better quality of life.
With this information, the TCM physician may provide dietary advice or lifestyle modifications to help manage the patient’s eczema symptoms. Recommendations may include:
- Avoid washing the skin with hot water;
- Avoid soap with harsh chemicals while bathing;
- Avoid scratching the skin to reduce the risk of secondary infections;
- Limit or reduce consumption of trigger food and drinks, like alcohol, hot and spicy food, and seafood.
Eczema can be a tiring and bothersome skin condition, with frequent and time-consuming treatment often necessary to see results. Nevertheless, a suitable TCM treatment for eczema combined with appropriate lifestyle and dietary habits can help you manage this skin condition effectively, leading to a better quality of life.
At Tangs Clinical Centre, we specialise in managing various skin disorders through TCM approaches. Our doctors and physicians have assisted numerous patients, including a 60-year-old gentleman experiencing a sudden and severe eczema outbreak and a 35-year-old male suffering from eczema for eight years, with their eczema symptoms in a safe and natural way. Contact us to schedule a consultation with our TCM practitioners today.
FAQs about eczema
1. Is there a permanent eczema cure for tcm?
There is no permanent cure for eczema through conventional immunosuppressants. However, eczema can still be effectively managed through TCM therapy, and symptoms can be minimised through various TCM treatment modalities, allowing individuals to lead a better quality of life. We recommend working closely with a good TCM physician to develop a personalised treatment plan for eczema that suits your specific condition and needs.
2. Is eczema contagious?
Rest assured that eczema is not contagious. You cannot spread eczema through person-to-person contact.
3. What triggers eczema flare-ups?
Eczema affects individuals differently. So what causes your symptoms to flare up may not necessarily trigger someone else with the skin condition. Nevertheless, common triggers that cause eczema flare-ups include:
- Being exposed to something you are allergic to;
- Dry weather (low humidity);
- Fabrics or clothing material;
- Smoke and pollutants
- Specific chemical substances contained in detergents, makeup, skin care products, and soaps;
- Stress
4. How do I manage my eczema symptoms and flare-ups?
There are various ways to manage your eczema symptoms and flare-ups. Consult a TCM physician to learn more about the types of food to cut down on or avoid to prevent a flare-up. Beyond paying your TCM physician a visit, you can manage your condition independently by keeping your skin moisturised with a gentle moisturiser to reduce skin flaking and minimising your stress levels to avoid internal triggers like poor liver function, which can contribute to eczema flare-ups.
Tabular form giving an overview to readers for tcm diagnosis and patterns for each symptom.
|
TCM Etiology |
Presenting Symptoms |
Treatment Approach |
| Heat and Dampness |
|
Utilising herbs to cool the blood, clear heat, reduce inflammation, and eliminate excessive moisture in the skin. |
| Blood Heat |
|
Using herbs to nourish and invigorate the blood, cool and reduce heat, and making lifestyle adjustments to balance blood heat. |
| Wind-Dampness |
|
Dispel wind-dampness with herbal remedies, promote blood circulation, and applying topical treatments for skin relief. |
| Blood Stasis |
|
Using herbs to promote blood circulation, remove toxins from the body, and exercising to enhance blood flow and energy circulation. |
